ZRP Denies Working With SARACO In Sting Operation To Arrest Corrupt Cops Over US$540 Bribe

ZRP Denies SARACO Role In Arrest Operation Against Corrupt Officers

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has denied working with the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation in an operation to arrest corrupt cops, insisting that any anti-corruption body must first be cleared by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. The police said the arrests were carried out internally without Saraco’s involvement.

ZRP distances itself from Saraco claims

According to a Zimbabwe Republic Police press statement dated 24 November 2025, claims circulating on social media alleged that ZRP’s Internal Investigations Section conducted a joint sting operation with Saraco that led to the arrest of five officers for corruption.

Introducing the quotation the traditional way, the statement read:

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses claims by the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) and subsequent social media postings alleging that they worked together with the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Internal Investigations Section to conduct a sting operation which resulted in the arrest of five Zimbabwe Republic Police members for corruption.”

The police stressed that there was no partnership, no collaboration, and no cooperative arrangement with Saraco.

‘Any anti-corruption body must be cleared by ZACC’

The police further clarified that no organisation can operate in the anti-corruption space without formal clearance.

The ZRP statement said:

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates its previous standing position that anyone claiming to be an Anti-Corruption body should be cleared by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission as duly constituted in terms of the country’s laws.”

The police cautioned that officers entering into private arrangements with outside groups without the approval of the Commissioner General will face consequences in line with the law.

The statement added:

“For the record, the Zimbabwe Republic Police effected the purported arrest without the involvement of the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation.”

ZRP reiterates internal handling of the arrests

The statement, issued by Commissioner Paul Nyathi, emphasised that the operation was conducted fully within ZRP’s internal structures. Commissioner Nyathi did not provide further detail on the officers involved or the nature of the internal inquiry.